Their diamonds are concentrated in alluvial or “placer” deposits comprising old gravel beaches and river channels.

The diamonds are found up to 100 metres below surface, although mining has to date only ventured some 40 metres down.

The nature of the remaining ore reserve at Namaqualand Mines requires a different approach to the mining method traditionally applied if it is to be extracted profitably. For this reason, production at Namaqualand Mines was suspended after the first quarter of 2010 with the objective of developing and introducing an ore extraction and processing methodology suitable to the reserve once operations are resumed.

In the meantime, the focus on rehabilitation and restoration of disturbed areas, and on introducing economic development initiatives in other sectors of the economy on such land, has been intensified with the objective of leaving a lasting legacy by contributing to the economic development of the Namaqualand Region.

In July 2010 De Beers announced  that it had received approaches from potential investors interested in purchasing Namaqualand Mines and Finsch Mine in the Northern Cape. The interest comes on the back of the continuing recovery in the diamond market. 

To assess these expressions of interest appropriately, De Beers will undertake a systematic review process that will include evaluating the offers received from companies with good mining track records, and strong empowerment credentials. In addition interested parties will have to satisfy many other economic, social and environmental criteria when formulating their submissions.

The Executive Chairman of DBCM, Barend Petersen stated; “We have had approaches from companies interested in discussing the future of Namaqualand Mines and Finsch Mine in the Northern Cape. De Beers has decided to invite separate expressions of interest in each mine through a select tender process.” 

It is expected that the process will take a number of months to reach a conclusion - extending well into 2011, and economic development and environmental rehabilitation projects will continue at Namaqualand Mines.

History

Jack Carstens found the first diamonds in Namaqualand on the farm Oubeep near Port Nolloth in 1925. A year later, he found diamonds on the farm Kleyne Zee, a freehold at the mouth of the Buffels River.

Mining started on a small scale in January 1927, and this operation was incorporated into the Cape Coast Exploration Company (CCEC), under Chairmanship of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, in 1928. The CCEC was, in turn, incorporated into De Beers in 1941.

Operations were halted from 1932 to 1937 due to a recession in the diamond market, and again from late 1938 till 1943, due to the Second World War.

The farm Kleyne Zee, on which the town Kleinzee was established as operational and administrative centre of the mine, was mined until the late fifties, as mining leases for the other properties that De Beers held in the area could only be obtained in 1956.

Diamonds occur here as a consequence of the break-up of the ancient super-continent of Gondwanaland, which split to form Africa and South America some 130 million years ago.

As the two landmasses moved apart, numerous river systems along the southern African margin drained westward. They brought with them huge quantities of diamonds weathered out from kimberlite deposits located in the hinterland hundreds of kilometres to the east.

All of the diamonds found here are of gem quality and were extracted by open-cast and surf zone mining. Some 31 million carats had been produced by the turn of the 20th century.

The Namaqualand mines started operating in 1928 and currently consist of:

• The Koingnaas Complex between Mitchell's and Somnaas bays
• The Buffels Inland Complex on terraces of the Buffels River inland of Kleinzee
• The Buffels Marine Complex on the raised beaches north of the mouth of the Buffels River

Through the De Beers Fund, numerous social upliftment initiatives have made a difference to the area. These include agricultural projects, small business development, and education and health care projects.

The Namaqualand mines are ISO 14001 certified.  Seawater is used for all treatment and no harmful chemicals or additives are used. The mines also constantly work towards creating a sustainable environment.  

Examples include: 

• Establishing a conservation club to manage the reserve situated between Kleinzee and Koingnaas
• Incorporating 30 000 hectares of De Beers land into the Namaqua National Park
• Establishing an archaeological research programme
• Being involved in the oyster catcher and black harrier surveys